March 2023 Smith Mountain Lake Fishing Report by Captain Chad Green

SMITH MOUNTIAN LAKE FISHING REPORTBy: Captain Chad Greenwww.lastcastguideservicesml.com

Spring can offer some great fishing. All species feed heavily in cooler months as the bigger fish will start to feed up this month. Get out on the water when you can and enjoy the sunrises and sunsets. Practice catch and release as much as possible to preserve our great fisheries out there. As always, just make one more Last Cast as it could be the next trophy fish.Visit Captains Quarters Marina at Hales Ford Bridge for any tackle that you may need and they will fix you up.Visit https://missilebaits.store/ and check out all they have to offer.Special Thanks to Brian Carter at the https://thebasscast.com/Check out Smith Mountain Boat and Tackle Penhook for your boating needs https://www.smboats.com/

REMEMBER SAFETY IS EXTREMELY IMPORTANT IN THE WINTER AND TRY NOT TO FISH ALONE, CARRRY EXTRA CLOTHES AND A BLANKET IN CASE YOU WERE TO FALL IN.

PRACTICE CATCH AND RELEASE ON CITATION SIZE FISH

Largemouth Bass/Smallmouth Bass

The citation size fish will show back up for the next few months as there was a 9-4 caught this past week. In the Early spring months the bass be gravitating to feed up heavily. They will start to feed on crawfish heavily this month. Look for them anywhere this time of year as In creeks, pockets and the main channel and the wind can be your friend. They can be in different water depths as well and the colder days tend to be the best for success. Jerkbaits, crankbaits, a-rigs, Jigs, spinnerbaits and swimbaits can be productive. Typically smaller profile baits can be very productive and fished in different depths. Main points and docks can be productive this time of year. The main points are stopping areas to feed and the docks provide shade for fish waiting on stable weather to move to there spawning areas. Colder days they will be aggressive and the warmer days will be a slower bite. You will also start to see some cruising around this month as well. Best time year to catch a true trophy is now until the water reaches the upper 50’s.

Striped Bass

The stripers have hit the banks in just about all parts of the lake. Try the late evenings and early mornings for feeding and surfacing fish. Use jerkbaits, bucktails, flukes, and jointed baits. Topwater can also be productive on warm evenings. The bigger fish are showing up in shallow areas as this week has produced some 40 plus inch fish right on the bank. Night time can be very productive as well with the same baits fished very slow and fishing lighted areas as well.

Crappie

Crappie will start to move shallow this month and can produce some trophy size fish as well. Try and release these fish as well if they are citation size to be caught another day. They can be found anywhere in the 10-30 ft range depending on water clarity. Look for brush piles and trees on both river arms of the lake. Use lightweight jigs or minnows and fish slow. Clean your skillet and have that ready as they are excellent meal.

Tournaments MarchFLW BFL March 4th parkwaySML CATT March 5th State ParkAnglers Choice March 18th Parkway Reminder the lake is off limits that week for this tournament until March 17thSML CATT March 19th State ParkSML CATT March 26th State Park

Special Thanks to Brian Carter at the www.TheBassCast.com

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